Before Yankees Playoff Opener: Aaron Judge Takes Live At-Bats

Summary:

• Aaron Judge took live at-bats Monday for the first time since suffering his calf strain on September 16.
• The Yankees must decide by Tuesday morning whether to include their star slugger on the 26-man wild-card roster.
• New York opens its series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Aaron Judge took another important step toward a possible postseason return on Monday, September 28, participating in batting practice and facing live pitching for the first time since suffering a right calf strain on September 16.

With under 24 hours before the New York Yankees open their 2026 wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox, Judge is trying to convince the team he can contribute.

I’ve been doing a lot of convincing. I feel like I’m going to keep doing that.

The Yankees must submit their 26-player roster by 10 a.m. Tuesday, making Judge’s status one of the biggest decisions facing the club.

Game 1 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, at Yankee Stadium, with Boston and New York meeting in the wild-card round for the second straight year.

Judge took several rounds of batting practice shortly after 5 p.m. Monday before stepping into the batter’s box against Yankees pitchers. He faced Ryan Weathers once and Elmer Rodriguez three times.

He drew two walks, grounded out, and struck out looking in his four plate appearances. Judge did not record a hit, but the session marked a significant progression in his recovery.

The 34-year-old said his running has been limited to an antigravity treadmill and that he had not yet run the bases, hoping to run outside Monday.

Judge said the injury is a strain of his soleus muscle and acknowledged that returning before it is fully healed carries risks, including the possibility of an Achilles injury.

Guys take risks every single day. I know a lot of guys in here are banged up and dealing with stuff so I understand the risks

Manager Aaron Boone previously described the injury as a moderate-grade strain. The Yankees have been preparing as though Judge would not be available for the series, although Boone has not completely closed the door.

Judge also wants to return as a right fielder, saying that would give the Yankees their best chance to win. Boone, however, said he was unsure whether that would be realistic.

The Yankees will also have other roster decisions to make, including whether to carry Giancarlo Stanton and Weathers.

Judge’s history against Boston adds another layer to the decision. Last year, he played all three games of the Yankees’ wild-card series victory over the Red Sox, collecting two hits in each of the first two games.

He went on to produce the strongest postseason of his career, hitting .500 with two doubles, a home run and a 1.273 OPS before New York was eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series.

This season has been much more difficult. Judge appeared in only 66 games, batting .241 with 18 home runs and an .871 OPS. He spent more than three months sidelined after playing through a fractured rib before returning and then suffering the calf injury in his seventh game back.

Still, the Yankees won 93 games and enter October with the lowest team ERA in the majors.

Now the decision comes down to whether Judge can convince the Yankees that he is ready to play.

I’d give anything to be out there and battle with the guys.